WATCH: Top 5 highest paid South African IPL players for 2018

DURBAN - The 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off this week and many South African cricket players look set to profit from the tournament payouts.

The IPL is an annual T20 competition which sees 8 teams going head to head to battle it out to become IPL champions. The winning IPL team collects a cash prize of $2.3 million (R27,27 million).

Players from across the globe are bid on by different teams, which desire to have particular players join their team. The IPL teams have a brand value which ranges from between $36,2 million (about R429 million) to $58,6 million (about R694 million).

There will be nine South African players playing for 8 different IPL teams this year. Most recently South African cricket breakout star,Heinrich Klaasen was selected to be apart of the Rajasthan Royals.

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Here is a list of the top 5 highest paid South African IPL players for 2018:

1. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers was retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for an R20,3 million fee. He has been playing for the team since 2011.

AB de Villiers in action for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Photo: Facebook

2. Chris Morris

Chris Morris was retained by Delhi Daredevils for R12,5 million. The South African fast bowler, who used to play for the Rajasthan Royals, joined the Delhi Daredevils in 2016.

Chris Morris will be playing for the Delhi Daredevils. Photo: File

3. Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada will earn R 7,7 million with the Delhi Daredevils. The 22-year-old cricketer has been with the Delhi Daredevils since he joined the IPL last year.

Kagiso Rabada will be playing for the Delhi Daredevils. Photo: File

4. David Miller

KZN born David Miller will be earning R5,5 million with his IPL team Kings XI Punjab. Miller has been playing for the franchise, which is owned by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, since 2012.

David Miller will be playing for KIngs IX Punjab. Photo: File